POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Senior catcher Zachary Passerelle (Sparta, N.J.) and junior left-handed pitcher Rich Vrana (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) of the Marist baseball team are ranked among the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's top prospects this season.

Baseball America has rated Passerelle and Vrana fifth and seventh, respectively, among MAAC prospects. Additionally, Passerelle was named the MAAC's seventh-best prospect by Perfect Game, as he was rated the top prospect among position players.

Passerelle is heading into his second season with the Red Foxes, and is a captain on this year's team. Last year, he batted .261 with 31 runs batted in and an on-base percentage of .367.

Last season, Vrana led the Red Foxes in ERA with a 2.87 mark. He struck out 40 and allowed opposing hitters to bat just .228 in 59.2 innings. He posted a 5-1 record in 14 appearances, including 11 starts.

The Marist baseball team has finished at least .500 in each of the past five seasons, and have had six players selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in the past three seasons. The Red Foxes open the 2014 season on Friday at the Cardinal Classic, hosted by Lamar. Marist will play both Illinois-Chicago and Lamar on Friday and Saturday.